After losing two winnable games this past weekend, coach George Karl tried to inspire his troops with a motivational phrase — pride and perseverance are NBA talents.
Indeed they are, George.
The short-handed Celtics exemplified such talents Monday, playing on the road without Kevin Garnett and winning 114-76 at the Pepsi Center. As for the Nuggets, you can utilize numerous P-words here — perhaps pathetic, paltry or pitiful.
Denver (37-20) actually had a two-game winning streak against Boston (46-12), including a win there this season, but the defending champs were overwhelming, holding the Nuggets to a 34.7 percent shooting.
It was the Nuggets’ first game back in Pepsi Center in nearly three weeks, and the place was packed — though there were plenty of fans wearing green. It made for an intense first half, with fans cheering basically after every basket. On the court, Denver was called for five first-half charges, and two players earned technical fouls as the Nuggets held on for dear life.
The home team trailed 60-37 at the half, and Ray Allen hit a 3-pointer with 6:47 left in the third, giving Boston a 70-43 lead — and Allen already had 19 points.
Chauncey Billups didn’t score his first field goal until the 1:37 mark in the third quarter, after missing six shots from the field. He finished with three points. Allen led all scorers with 26 and was fouled hard in the fourth by Anthony Carter, which led to shouting and double technicals.
The Nuggets played without center Nene, who likely will be out this week with a bone bruise in his right knee. Meanwhile, the Celtics played without Garnett, who also has a right knee injury. That didn’t seem to matter.
